The Common Cold and Your Baby

We deal with it every year– we are sick for a couple of days, shake it off, and continue with our lives. The common cold, a familiar fixture in all our lives, is a virus that primarily affects the nose and throat. Even though the common cold is largely harmless for most people, your baby can catch the common cold. Your baby’s immune system is still developing which means that the common cold can more seriously affect your infant. With the correct knowledge and treatment, you can quickly help your baby through a cold with fewer issues.

The Cause of the Common Cold

The common cold is a viral infection that is primarily transmitted through the air (Mayo Clinic). The virus spreads through droplets in the air that contain the virus usually coming from someone who is displaying symptoms. For most people, the common cold is nothing more than an annoyance.

Babies and the Common Cold

The common cold is just as common for babies as it is for adults. In fact, many children, in their first two years, have eight to 10 colds (AAP). Your baby is actually supposed to get colds to build a healthy immune system. However, it is still important to monitor your baby when they are sick to make sure that it does not develop into something more serious.

Cold Symptoms For Your Baby

Your baby will display similar symptoms as an adult that is suffering from a cold. These include things like: runny nose, congestion, cough, fever, and fatigue. These are all completely normal for babies. Finally, remember to contact your doctor if symptoms last longer than 10 days.

Treating Your Baby’s Cold

Treating the common cold is about managing symptoms rather than fighting the actual virus. With this in mind, here are some tips you can practice to help soothe your baby’s symptoms:

• Make sure that your baby is in an environment that is properly humidified if they are sick. The Miro MH7000 would be a perfect humidifier for your newborn. It is equipped with UV capabilities, which kill any bacteria that are present in the air, along with humidity sensors that ensure your baby is sleeping in an environment with optimal humidity. Finally, the Miro MH7000, like all Miro products, is built with Miro’s technology, allowing the entire humidifier to be cleaned with just soap and water. The Miro MH7000 is the perfect humidifier for your child.

• Your baby, when sick, should be consuming more fluids than usual to help their nasal congestion and fever. The fluids help your baby push out the mucus and replenish any fluids that are lost due to fever.

• Relieve any congestion your baby might be experiencing by keeping them in a humidified environment. You might also consider the use of a suction bulb to clear any mucus (Bellefonds). However, always consult your doctor before using.

• Always consult with your doctor when using any medication to treat your baby's symptoms.